Cocaine is a powerful stimulant that can have a very negative mental and physical effect with long-term abuse. Recognizing the symptoms and signs of cocaine addiction in a friend can be a little complex, as many people will go out of their way to hide their addiction. Fortunately, there are several tell-tale cocaine abuse signs that point to a growing problem.
At Outreach Recovery, our mission is to support those with an addiction to cocaine, heroin, meth, or other toxic substances throughout their recovery journey. When you first arrive at one of our treatment centers, we will run a complete health assessment to determine the severity of the addiction and the appropriate treatments. Each program is tailored to the individual and will include group and private therapy sessions at our rehab center or through remote telehealth services.
To see how our cocaine rehab program can help a friend or loved one, fill out our online contact form or call 888.897.9284 today to speak with our dedicated team.
Symptoms of Cocaine Addiction
Cocaine is derived from the coca plant, which is mainly grown in South America. Natives first discovered a slight increase in energy and well-being when chewing the leaves. It became popular in the 1980s as a party drug and has a high rate of addiction and overdose. Despite the known dangers, 15% of the U.S. population says they still use cocaine.
Some of the main symptoms of cocaine addiction include:
- Dilated pupils
- High levels of energy
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Increased energy and euphoria
- Increased anxiety and paranoia
- Frequent nose bleeds or a runny nose
- Hallucinations
Those who regularly use cocaine will experience intense cravings and withdrawals if they try to stop taking the drug without medical support.
5 Signs of Cocaine Addiction in a Friend
Recognizing cocaine abuse signs can be difficult if you don’t know what to look for. Some people will go to extreme lengths to hide their abuse, to the point of lying or simply avoiding hanging out with close friends and loved ones.
If you suspect a friend or loved one is abusing cocaine, here are five signs of cocaine addiction in a friend:
- Physical health – Cocaine can have a hard impact on the body. It kills brain cells, increases your risk of stroke, damages the heart and cardiovascular system, and weakens the immune system. It can also lead to significant weight loss, malnutrition, and other health problems.
- Psychological health – Some very dangerous cocaine abuse signs include violent and aggressive behaviors, suicidal thoughts, confusion, and other mental health conditions, like depression, psychosis, paranoia, and anxiety.
- Increased tolerance levels – When you abuse cocaine regularly, you increase the amount it takes for you to feel the same effects. High tolerance levels mean you must take more time to feel the same high. High doses increase the risk of higher body temperatures and blood pressure and the risk of overdose and death.
- Financial problems – Cocaine addiction often causes financial hardships as the need for more cocaine increases with frequent use. As cravings take over, they cause people to make rash decisions, which can lead to using the money for bills and living expenses to buy more drugs to stop the cravings and withdrawals.
- Relationship issues – Addiction can change a person’s personality and cause severe problems with family and personal relationships. Divorce is prevalent with substance abuse, as are frequent arguments, doubt, anger, remorse, lying, and other negative relationship traits.
While there is no permanent cure for addiction, there are several treatment options that help people live healthy, sober lives. Participating in addiction recovery can help reduce withdrawals and cravings safely and teach people better coping skills for managing symptoms and triggers.
Enroll in Our Cocaine Rehab Program Today at Outreach Recovery
If you know someone who is showing cocaine abuse signs, the smart move to make is to help them enroll in a treatment program. Call 888.897.9284 today to schedule a consultation and take that first step toward a healthier life.